Heat warning issued for the Fraser Valley

CHILLIWACK — Mother Nature is turning up the heat in the Fraser Valley this week, with temperatures forecast to rise well above 30°C from Sunday through Tuesday. Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a heat warning for Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and the rest of the Fraser Valley, cautioning that elevated temperatures pose a moderate risk to public health through midweek. The heat warning is also in place for Greater Vancouver and many other regions in B.C.

A high-pressure ridge is expected to deliver daytime highs of up to 35°C, depending on your location. The weather agency advises residents to be vigilant in watching for signs of heat illness, including heavy sweating, rash, cramps, fainting, high body temperature, and worsening of pre-existing health conditions.

Children, pets, and susceptible individuals should not be left in parked vehicles with hot conditions. Residents are urged to seek air-conditioned environments, such as public buildings, to stay cool. Lists of cooling centres and air-conditioned public buildings can be found on the civic websites of Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and Mission.

The heat warning comes in the wake of the devastating summer of 2021, when a seven-day heat dome caused record-setting temperatures across British Columbia. According to a report by the BC Coroners Service, the heat dome was responsible for 619 deaths in the province. Although the current temperatures are not expected to reach the extreme levels experienced during the 2021 heat dome, officials emphasize the importance of taking precautions to protect vulnerable individuals.